Do You Hear the Stones Crying Out?

“But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth will tremble, And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.”  Jeremiah 10:10. NKJV 

Today’s post is one I have shared before but considering the subject, and current events, I felt I should offer it up again.  It seems lately that every single day you can find reports in the news concerning strange happenings in the weather, volcanic eruptions occurring, earthquakes just about everywhere, all seemingly surprising many so called experts in the field.  Here are just a few of the many I read this past week.

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/hayli-gubbi-eruption-ignites-next-earth-cycle-theory-ethiopia-volcano-awakens-after-12000-years-1758080

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1mgKKDalsw

https://watchers.news/2025/11/28/rare-tropical-cyclone-senyar-kills-more-than-300-indonesia-malaysia-thailand-november-2025/

https://allisraelnews.com/heavy-rainfalls-in-the-middle-east-border-wall-collapses-in-israel-floods-hit-gaza-and-beirut

https://israel365news.com/414236/rare-winter-deluge-breaks-israels-drought-hinting-at-ancient-prophecies-about-rain-and-redemption/

https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/earthquake-strikes-hawaii-moments-after-volcano-eruption-ends/1838541

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg97wx144jo

Is God sending a message?  I personally believe that strongly, especially considering the sudden increase in anti-semitism we are witnessing sin the world at the present time. Now granted, many might think this has absolutely nothing to do with current events but I would submit that it quite possibly has everything to do with what we are seeing today.  Truth be told, I believe strongly that God protects His chosen people and if you dare to instigate any harm to the Jewish people you are inviting a response from God Himself which in all honesty you will certainly regret.  The passage from Jeremiah states plainly that the earth itself will tremble at His wrath.  

Do you believe God is upset at what happened in Israel and the lack of support they are receiving from the rest of the world? Do you think God can and will make His feelings known?  Is it possible the earth is reacting to the emotions of it’s creator as the world is seeming to turn against the Jewish people?  The relationship between the earth and God is one that I have spoken about before and decided to share with you again today.  I would suggest that you consider watching the earth itself as a possible sign that God is preparing to intervene as described in the prophecies of the end of this age.

"The waters saw You, O God; The waters saw You, they were afraid; The depths also trembled. The clouds poured out water; The skies sent out a sound; Your arrows also flashed about. The voice of Your thunder [was] in the whirlwind; The lightnings lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook. Your way [was] in the sea, Your path in the great waters, And Your footsteps were not known. You led Your people like a flock By the hand of Moses and Aaron."    Psalm 77:16-20 NKJV

This is a subject I have spoken on often and has lately begun to make the news in a somewhat obvious way, especially if looked at in light of what Jesus warned about when using the example of signs increasing in frequency and intensity as they do in a woman’s labor. When I talk with people about the command to watch, the question naturally arises as to just exactly what are the sorts of things we should watch for?  That is a very good question, and one that I believe every one of us should ask ourselves in light of what the Word tells us about signs of the end of the age and the nearness of Christ’s return.

In this passage from the book of Psalms, the author is troubled and in despair so he thinks back to the past and the times that God manifested Himself in human history by actions man could only describe as supernatural. The verses above refer to the time that God led the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt and through the Red Sea on their journey to the Promised Land. Now I think the important point to make here is that although Moses and Aaron were used by God to shepherd His people, it was God Himself who led them.

"And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, [from] before the people."    Exodus 13:21-22 NKJV

Now why do I think this is important? Look closely at the passage from Psalms and notice what the author says the reaction of the earth was to the presence of God. Do you see what I see? We are told the waters were afraid, the depths trembled, there was a downpour of rain, thunder along with lightning that lit up the entire world, and not to mention earthquakes that shook the earth. Yet to me, the most important part of this passage is the fact that it does not say God “caused” these things to happen, rather it was a response of the earth to actually “seeing” the presence of God. 

Right about now some of you are probably thinking wait just a minute here; do you really believe the earth can “see”? Well, why not? Not only do these verses say it does, we are told elsewhere that the earth can talk too.

"Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, saying: " 'Blessed [is] the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." But He answered and said to them, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out."    Luke 19:37-40 NKJV

So if we are to believe what the Bible tells us, the earth has and can react to the presence of God in physical ways, some of which might surprise us. Is that really so hard to believe? After all, the earth was created by God just as we were created, so who knows what physical reaction could be produced by the approach of the power which created it? This is the question that I would like you to think about in light of some of the things happening in the world right now.

"For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only [that], but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body."                              Romans 8:22-23 NKJV

Why does the entire creation groan? No doubt because of the changes brought about by the fall in Genesis where even the shape of this world was altered by the introduction of sin. Notice that Paul is telling us here that both nature and man are waiting for the exact same event; the return of Christ! And the reason we groan? We as believers know what we will receive when Christ calls us home to be with Him forever. The anticipation of leaving this earth grows every day as we watch the events around us which give evidence that the world is, like in Noah's day, moving farther away from God rather than towards Him.

Most of us would agree the Bible clearly teaches that there will be signs that precede the return of Christ, many of which are physical in nature. Events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis can explain many of the events described as occurring just before Christ returns. Many of these things are beginning to happen right now in various places in the world, and most of those who are watching and waiting for His appearing believe the time is very close. Jesus Himself said this about the signs that would appear just before His return.

"For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."  2 Peter 3:5-7  NKJV

"So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near--at the doors!"    Mark 13:29 NKJV

So here is my question for today; does God cause these things to happen, or just like the events in Exodus when God came to earth to lead His people away, is the earth reacting to His approach once again? Is it possible that the increase in frequency and intensity of physical events is because the closeness of Jesus returning for His church is causing a physical reaction by the earth?  If we consider what the Bible has to say as being the true and faithful Word of God, I would suggest that we should, as well as understanding that by what we are told, this is only the beginning.

"Then the earth shook and trembled; The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, Because He was angry."    2 Samuel 22:8 NKJV

My feeling, along with many others, is that time is quickly running out for the Church to accomplish its work here on earth, and it would come as no surprise to hear the trumpet blow and our call to go home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at any time.  If you are reading this today and have never made the decision to allow Jesus Christ to come into your heart, and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by simply praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered you by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen.

Are the stones crying out?

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Thanking God

“You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. “And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. “But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the LORD your God has blessed you,“then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses. “And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.  Deuteronomy 14:22-26.  NKJV

This week most of us will celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving, an annual day of celebration begun by our country’s first Pilgrim settlers.  Their intent was to thank God for His provision after their very difficult first year in their new land.  Many believe that this celebration was modeled after the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, also an annual feast of celebration instituted by God as we read in this passage from Deuteronomy.  If you take the time to examine the similarities, it does appear as if that certainly could be the case.

While many might be of the opinion that in this country Christmas is the most anticipated holiday of the year, for the Israelites, it was the Feast of Tabernacles that they looked forward to the most.  While many of us are familiar with what we call in this country a “block party”, can you imagine what it would be like if the entire country gathered in one city for an entire week of feasting and celebration?  At this Feast, every Jew that was physically able to travel, came to Jerusalem and built a shelter or booth on whatever piece of vacant land they could find.  They would then live in them for one week to commemorate their ancestors living in the wilderness for forty years.

They brought with them their tithes and offerings that they had been saving up for a year and then cooked and feasted in celebration of God’s goodness to them in the past year.  It was, quite literally, a national celebration of thanksgiving for the bounty that God provided to them.  You can see how many have come to the conclusion that our holiday of Thanksgiving was modeled after this feast of Israel considering the pilgrims too, chose the same time of the year to celebrate the same blessings God had provided to them.

What I would consider to be the most important point of both these celebrations, however, is the fact that the people were thanking God as the source of provision rather than celebrating their own toil and effort.  As we look around at our world today it is very apparent there is an attitude of pride in the accomplishments and advances we as a people are making rather than giving credit where credit is due.  As believers we should realize and acknowledge that while we work and put forth the effort, it is God who chooses to give us the ability and opportunity to succeed.

The first year that our forefathers spent in this country was an extremely difficult one and you can be sure that their efforts at survival took every bit of time and effort that they had.  Yet at the end of the year they chose to take the time to thank God for their success acknowledging that without His help it never would have happened. My hope is that we too would follow our ancestors example and choose to thank God for all that He has done for us this past year.

Of course, the greatest gift God has given to us, and the one to be most thankful for, is the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ as payment for our sin.  Believing He died and rose again allows us the opportunity to spend eternity with Him in heaven enjoying all that He has chosen to provide for us.  If you are reading this today and have never made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into your heart and accept the free gift of eternal life He has offered you, I urge you to do so right now. You can do that by praying this prayer and accepting the gift of eternal life God has offered you by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Dear Father in heaven, I believe in your son Jesus. I believe that He died on the cross for my sins, that He rose up from the grave, and that my sins are forgiven.  Forgive me of my sin, help me to walk with you, and thank you for saving me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Deliver Me

“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”  Romans 7:24  NKJV

 

One of the advantages, if you can call it that, about growing old is the perspective one gets while watching your body slowly change from the strong vibrancy of youth to a weaker more frail version.  Once upon a time I saw a poster with a picture of an elderly weightlifter with the caption “growing old is not for sissies”, something I can now fully appreciate.  It appears that no matter how hard you try, growing old and experiencing the complications that come with it are inevitable. While studying this passage written by Paul, I was surprised to find that the Greek word rhyomai, used for “deliver” here means “to draw to one's self, to rescue, to deliver”.  In essence, Paul is describing his feelings about living in this body in this present world, as desperately needing to be rescued.

 

“Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; “and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face.”     Deuteronomy 7:9-10  NKJV

 

I have heard and read the feelings of many in the body lately which certainly show desperation to be rescued much like Paul has described.  To be sure, I too am finding myself entertaining these feelings of desperation wondering how long it is going to be before we the Church hear the call to come home.  It almost becomes frustrating listening to so many express their convictions that we are on the doorstep yet we are still here waiting and watching.  Watching the direction this world in general and this country in particular are going, I simply cannot help but echo the lament of many of the Old Testament saints; “How long O Lord?”. 

 

“My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O LORD--how long? Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies' sake!”    Psalm 6:3-4 NKJV

 

As I have considered all that we have seen occur lately, especially the left embracing ever more radical positions, along with the increasing violence and rhetoric, I couldn’t help but remember Jesus describing the last days as resembling the “Days of Noah” in Matthew 24. One question that has always puzzled me about the inhabitants of the days of Noah is the fact that it would appear they either had absolutely no clue that their actions were an offense to the God of the universe, or if they did, they somehow believed God would allow their offenses to go unpunished.  Not to mention the fact that God had the patience to wait until Noah and his family were the last believers on earth!

 

It follows then that this past week my thoughts concerning our country and some of its leaders, as well as the events unfolding around the world, somehow began to remind me of this same question. Does the majority of this nation, and the world as a whole, actually believe their decisions do not offend God, or do they simply believe God will do nothing to show His displeasure? On the other hand, the more I read, the more it appears that many believers are of the opinion that God has indeed already begun to remind us that He alone is omnipotent and is perfectly willing to judge those who offend Him. Yet, like David, it's hard not to ask God...”how long”?

 

Something I have been passionate about over the years is my personal study of the Old Testament.  It probably has something to do with my interest in history, which was my major in college, but I have always enjoyed studying events from our past.  There are many reasons to study the Old Testament, but one I regard as my primary motivation is that it is the best way I know to learn about, and begin to understand, the nature of God.  The books of the Old Testament are full of passages where God tells us what He is like, and also reveals His nature to us.  I believe the better we begin to know God, the more reassured we can be about what we see as we watch where the world is going today.  Paul seemed to understand this when he wrote the following passage in the book of Romans.

 

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”                        Romans 15:4  NKJV

 

You might ask, hope in what?  Obviously we are concerned with our own deliverance, but we can also rest assured that God will, in His own time, judge the world for its actions. Our God is a just God, and He will never let sin go unpunished. He has judged in the past, and He will judge again in the future. We can ask “how long” with the knowledge that although we are waiting, and most likely impatiently, God promises to do His will.  God has a plan, and a timetable for administering it.  It is up to us to persevere, and trust in God’s faithfulness.

 

“Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end [intended by] the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”    James 5:11 NKJV

 

Personally, what helps me the most is the knowledge of “the end intended by the Lord”. David may have prayed to the Lord expressing his sorrows and frustrations, but he always ended by acknowledging the fact that he knew that not only God was faithful, He also had a plan and it would unfold just as He ordained. I have often shared that I enjoy studying the life of David because while God described him as a “man after my own heart”, it is also obvious that David suffered from the same emotions we often do and was perfectly willing to share them with God.

 

“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, [Having] sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?”    Psalm 13:1-2 NKJV

 

I don’t believe we as believers should be shy about sharing our sorrow and frustrations with God because after all, doesn't He already know what we are feeling?  He understands our emotions and what we are feeling and if we share that with Him, He will hear our cry.  It is also important to note that not only does He hear, He will respond to our crying out to Him.

 

“Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, When He heard their cry; And for their sake He remembered His covenant, And relented according to the multitude of His mercies.”   Psalm 106:44-45 NKJV

 

One of the most reassuring things about God is the fact that He is always faithful to answer our cries and to demonstrate His mercy towards His people. I have always enjoyed having my daughters ask me for help, and even now that they are grown and living elsewhere it still is nice to get a call and be asked to do something that is helpful in some way. Do you really believe God is so busy that He doesn't want to hear from us when we need some help? Ask and see just how faithful our God is.

 

“Lord, how long will You look on? Rescue me from their destructions, My precious [life] from the lions. I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.”    Psalm 35:17-18 NKJV

 

Of course David well knew that when God provided, He alone was due the glory and the thanks. What better witness could we have but to give God the glory when He delivers us as well?

 

“Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom [be] glory forever and ever. Amen.”                                  Galatians 1:3-5 NKJV

 

What better to help us endure than the knowledge that God promises to deliver us from this “present evil age”.  While it may be difficult to sit by and watch where this world is going, we can rest assured that we have His promise that we will be saved from that terrible judgment which is to come upon the whole earth.

 

“O God, how long will the adversary reproach? Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever? Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? [Take it] out of Your bosom and destroy [them].”                            Psalm 74:10-11 NKJV

 

Just as David knew God had the power to judge and destroy His enemies, so we also have the knowledge that while it looks as if we are losing the battle, God will avenge Himself upon those who turn their backs on Him.

 

“The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; From heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. "He will give strength to His king, And exalt the horn of His anointed."                     1 Samuel 2:10 NKJV

 

Is it wrong to be impatient while waiting for God's return? While we know that God will do His work in His own time, David certainly had no problem expressing the difficulty he felt while waiting.

 

“Return, O LORD! How long? And have compassion on Your servants. Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!”                 Psalm 90:13-14 NKJV

 

While we look at what is going on all around us and wonder why God is waiting, we should never forget that He loves those who sin against Him and is compassionate towards them with a patience we cannot begin to comprehend.  Our God is not willing for any to perish and we need to keep that in mind whenever we are tempted to ask “how long”?

 

“The LORD [is] gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD [is] good to all, And His tender mercies [are] over all His works.”      Psalm 145:8-9 NKJV

 

What does God expect from us during this time of waiting? I think it revealing that in this passage from Luke we find that Jesus asks a very unusual question.

 

"And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? "I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?"    Luke 18:7-8 NKJV

 

Has the thought ever occurred to you that we should just give up? We are losing the fight so why bother anymore? David never gave up although at times it appears he believed the entire world was against him. Yet David knew God was faithful to fulfill His promises because he never asked "if" God was going to act, only "how long" until He would act, and we should know that as well. Although it may appear that we are fighting a losing battle, the battle is not over until the Son of Man comes to take us away. Will He find faith? Why would He ask that question unless some would be tempted to give up?  If He promises to be faithful to us, is it too much to ask for us to be faithful to Him?

There is an old hymn that many may remember that is called "Resting on the Promises of God".  Truer words have never been spoken for us as believers,  and it is something we all need to practice, especially now in the times we are living in.  If you are reading this today and your desire is to spend eternity in heaven, but you have never made the decision to accept the gift of salvation God has offered you by the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, I urge you to do it today.   You can do that by simply asking Him to make you one of His own by praying a prayer like this.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I believe You died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life to you. I confess You as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen. 

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